Detachable and Adjustable System of Submerged Wave-Breakers, Method of Assembly of a Submerged Wave-Breaker and Fastening System

ABSTRACT

The present invention relater to a system of detachable and adjustable wave-breakers composed of rubber mattresses ( 1 ) filled with sea water on site and covered by vinyl tarpaulins ( 5 ), forming submerged wave-breakers the break sea waves uniformly, in a suitable manner for the practice of surfing and similar sports. The vinyl tarpaulins ( 5 ) that form the lateral, slanted faces of the wave-breakers are tied and retained by cables ( 3, 4 ) and anchors ( 2 ) suitably arranged on the ground underwater. In order to obtain the best slant relative to the direction of the waves each day, these “water mattresses” can be appropriately rotated about the vertical axis thereof, and the volume of these mattresses can be increased or reduced to adapt them to the momentary height of the waves and tides.

The present invention relater to a system of detachable and adjustable wave-breakers composed of rubber mattresses (1) filled with sea water on site and covered by vinyl tarpaulins (5), forming submerged wave-breakers the break sea waves uniformly, in a suitable manner for the practice of surfing and similar sports. The vinyl tarpaulins (5) that form the lateral, slanted faces of the wave-breakers are tied and retained by cables (3, 4) and anchors (2) suitably arranged on the ground underwater. In order to obtain the best slant relative to the direction of the waves each day, these “water mattresses” can be appropriately rotated about the vertical axis thereof, and the volume of these mattresses can be increased or reduced to adapt them to the momentary height of the waves and tides.

PRIOR ART

The known wave-breaker systems are fastened, rigid and permanent, carried out in solid material, like rocks, concrete blocks, sand bags, and plastics.

The Brazilian patent document Nr. 9.902.078-5, describes a system consisting of a water propeller to swimming pools and at least one wave-breaker, but does not define its composition, the mounting system and fastening.

DRAWBACKS OF PRIOR ART

Since they are wave-breakers consisting of solid materials, they are rigid, permanent and not adjustable. This feature of rigidity is not convenient in a marine environment, where unpredictable changes are known, such as height and direction of waves and tidal variations.

Due to this feature of rigidity, several reduced model studies are necessary in order to guarantee and maximize its efficiency and avoid reworks in its accomplishment.

Another drawback of the known systems is that, since they are permanent, these systems cause a definitive change in the local ecosystem, increasing the need to conduct environmental impact studies.

Another drawback of the known systems is their high cost, since the constructions of submerged wave-breakers with the materials mentioned above are very expensive engineering works, because they require heavy equipment for the importation and disposal of these materials on the site.

Besides that, since they are put in a public space, such as ocean beaches, there is no possibility of charging any use fees, therefore rendering difficult a financial compensation and consequently keeping the private sector away.

OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Aiming at suppress the causes of these problems and drawbacks of the existing wave-breaker systems, the present invention has been made, which has as objects the creation of an adjustable system that allows the fast adaptation to the marine conditions of each day to provide the ideal conditions to the practice of water sports, reduce the environmental impact, disencumber its implementation and render viable financial investments of private sector.

The fast adaptation to the marine conditions of each day and of that moment in time is achieved due to the fact that the system is easily adjustable both in its height and its slant regarding the direction of the waves.

The reduction in the environmental impact is achieved due to the fact that the system is temporary and adjustable very easily by simply releasing the cables, deflating the water mattress and removing all the assembly.

The disencumbering of implementation costs is achieved due to the fact that the present invention is made of textile elements filled with liquids of its assembly location, thus obviating the importing of solid materials and the heavy equipment hiring.

The financial viability can be achieved through temporary lease or sell the system for hotels, municipalities, associations of surfing, or any entity that wants to encourage tourism or top level water sports.

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, based on the attached figures:

FIG. 1—Perspective of the system consisting of a rubber mattress (1) filled with sea water, fastened on the sea floor bed by means of anchors (2), support cables (3), stretch cables (4) and structured vinyl tarpaulin (5).

FIG. 2—Top view of the system showing the possibility of adjusting of the wave-breaker with the rearrangement of the mattress by means of the adjustment handles (6) to a better adaptation of the wave-breaker regarding the direction of the waves (9).

FIG. 3—Side view showing the possibility of increasing or reducing of the volume of the water mattress (1) to a better adaptation of the wave-breaker regarding the height of the waves and tides.

FIG. 4—Perspective detail of the part of the system that fastens the same on the location showing the anchor (2), the support cable (3) and the stretch cable of the tarpaulin (4).

The present invention basically consists of the following parts: rubber mattresses (1), anchors (2), support cables (3), stretch cables of the tarpaulin (4), structured vinyl tarpaulins (5) and adjustment handles of the mattress (6).

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the system where the rubber mattresses (1) filled with sea water are placed over the sea floor and have as the main function configuring the volume of the wave-breaker. In order to fasten it on the location and provide the slanted shape of a wave-breaker, the structured vinyl tarpaulins (5) are superimposed on the mattress (1) in order to avoid the dragging of the mattress (1) by the force of the waves. These vinyl tarpaulins (5) superimposed on the mattress (1) are stretched by means of the stretch cables (4), which in turn are twisted on the support cables (3) that have been previously placed and fastened by the anchors (2). These tarpaulins (5) have a cover skirt (14) that covers the anchors and protects against accidents.

To the assembly of the system, firstly the metal anchors (2) should be placed and the support cable (3) passed and stretched by means of a stretcher placed in its ends.

This done, the empty mattresses (1) are carried to the sea floor and properly placed. The adjustment handles (6) are then put in order to define its proper direction and avoid any improper displacement of the mattresses.

The elements below, support cables (3), stretch cables of the tarpaulin (4), adjustment handle of the mattress (6), are made of twisted nautical cables of synthetic fiber such as polyamide (nylon) and have stainless steel metal elements in their ends.

This done, the water hose (7) is connected and the mattress (1) is filled with sea water. After this step, in order to configure the wave-breaker, the vinyl tarpaulin (5) is superimposed and stressed through the stretch cable (4).

FIG. 2 shows the possibility of rotating the water mattresses (1) about its vertical axis, in such a way that the wave-breaker has a proper direction regarding the direction of waves (9) on each day. This is feasible just increasing or reducing the length of the adjustment handle (6) of the mattress (1).

FIG. 3 shows the possibility of a change of the wave-breaker height just by empting the water mattress (1), in such a way that the wave-breaker has the right height regarding the size of the waves of each day or even regarding the tidal level. In order that this alternative is feasible, it is required that the stretch cable (4) be slacken from the vinyl tarpaulin (5).

FIG. 3 also shows the filling way with sea water by pumping the water existing in the location by means of a hydraulic pump (8) and a water horse (7) placed on a vessel (10) next to the assembly location. This filling can be done from the beach.

FIG. 4 shows the anchor (2), which has rings (13) on one of its ends that are useful to the support cable (3) passage, where stretch cable (4) of the vinyl tarpaulin (5) is twisted.

This submerged wave-breakers system can also be utilized in swimming pools, rivers and lakes, wherever there can be found natural or artificial waves.

Accordingly, the present invention will have its scope determined by the following claims: 

1: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, consisting of textile elements, characterized in that said system comprises the submerged rubber mattresses (1), filled with sea water at the location, positioned by adjustment handles (6) and fastened with a superimposed vinyl tarpaulin (5), the handles stressed by stretch cables (4) which in turn are twisted in the support cables (3) fastened on the ground by anchors (2). 2: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system of wave-breakers has its volume configured by the existence of rubber mattresses (1) filled with sea water. 3: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system of adjustment of its direction is comprehended by the existence of the adjustment handles (6) that, by increasing or reducing its length, rotates the water mattresses (1) about its vertical axis, in order to adapt to the direction of the waves of each day, even after ending the system assembly. 4: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that height setting of the wave-breaker is comprehended by the possibility of filling or empting of the water mattresses (1), in order to adapt to the size of the waves and the tidal level of a determined moment of each day, even after ending the system assembly. 5: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening system on the submerged ground is comprehended by the existence of anchors (2) stacked on the ground, and support cables (3), which are fastened on the anchors by means of rings (13) existents in their ends. 6: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the side face of the submerged wave-breaker is comprehended by the existence of structured vinyl tarpaulins (5) slanted stretched by the stretch cables (4). 7: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the slant setting of the side face of the submerged wave-breaker is comprehended by approaching or separating the rubber mattress (1) regarding the support cable (3), a fact that contributes to the shape of wave breaking. 8: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the water mattresses (1) are of rubber or vinyl material. 9: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that all the settings of the system and adjustments are driven from the beach by means of the computerized equipment. 10: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprehends the following assembly steps: a. Place the anchors (2) on the submerged ground; b. Pass and stretch the support cable (3) by the rings (13) of the anchors (2); c. Place the water mattress (1) still empty on the submerged ground; d. Place the adjustment handles (6) interconnecting the mattress (1) on the support cable (3); e. Fill the mattress (1) with sea water by mechanical pumping; f. Place the vinyl tarpaulin (5) over the mattress (1) and twist the stretch cables (4) by the support cable (3), without definitely stressing it; g. Do the proper adjustments regarding the rotation of the mattress (1) using the adjustment handless (6); h. Do the proper adjustments regarding the slant of the vinyl tarpaulin (5) using the adjustment handless (4) by approaching or separating the mattress (1) from the support cables (3); i. Do the proper adjustments regarding the height of the wave-breaker using the water mechanical pumping; h. Definitely stretch the vinyl tarpaulin (5) by means of the stretch cables (4). 11: DETACHABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM OF SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKERS, METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF A SUBMERGED WAVE-BREAKER AND FASTENING SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system of protection against accidents is comprehended by the vinyl tarpaulins ends (5) by means of cover skirts (14) that cover the anchors and cables. 